Alphestes 



GENUS ALPHESTES BLOCH & SCHNEIDER 



This genus differs from Epinephelus chiefly in the presence of a 

 strong antrorse spine on the lower limb of the preopercle. There are 

 but 2 known species, only one of which (Alphestes afer) is of much 

 importance. This species, known as the cherna or guaseta, is found 



from Cuba to Brazil, and has been recorded also from Africa and the 

 Falkland Islands. It is common about Porto Rico, where it reaches a 

 foot or more in length and is regarded as a good food-fish. 



Colour in life, yellowish brown, paler below; upper part of side 

 with about 7 longitudinal stripes of dark brown from head to tail, 

 these becoming rows of round orange spots below; 6 dark inconspic- 

 uous vertical bars on body; head with many smaller orange-brown 

 spots; lower part of head and breast with pale bluish spots; fins 

 brownish; ventrals olive edged with darker; other fins obscurely 

 barred; inside of mouth pale. 



The other species (A. multiguttatus) is very close to A. afer, from 

 which it differs in the more slender head, more prominent chin, and 

 the colouration, which is dark olive-brown, the body and head pro- 

 fusely covered with round spots of darker brown about half size of 

 pupil; spots on posterior part of body confluent in horizontal streaks; 

 breast and front of head with few spots; a very faint mustache above 

 maxillary; dorsal and caudal dusky-olive, nearly plain; anal with 2 

 dusky cross-bands; pectoral yellowish, with 5 dusky cross-bands, its 

 edge pale; ventrals dusky. 



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